Allegorie op Horatius 1684

This engraving of an Allegory on Horace was made by an anonymous artist. It reflects a world where classical learning was used to fashion ideals of civic and political life. The bust of Horace, the celebrated Roman poet, is flanked by allegorical figures in a composition that uses visual codes to create meaning. An angel with a trumpet announces Horace's fame. The female figure of Truth stands to the left. Meanwhile, on the right, the figure of Art holds a paintbrush, ready to paint Horace's portrait. The celestial globe at her feet suggests the universal reach of the poet’s wisdom. These images, made in the Dutch Republic, encouraged viewers to align themselves with the values of classical civilization. Art historians investigate such works through careful study of the social and institutional contexts in which they were made, in order to understand the role that art plays in shaping cultural values.